The former England defender has spent the last few weeks desperately trying to persuade his young side they have got what it takes to stay in the Barclays Premier League.

And yesterday afternoon, he saw evidence the message is getting through as Boro defied the odds to condemn high-flying Liverpool to their first defeat in 16 league games.

Although the Teessiders may have indirectly had a say in the destination of this season's title, more important for them was the shot in the arm they gave their own hopes of dragging themselves out of the scrap at the foot of the table.

A surprise 2-0 victory over the Liverpool side which four days earlier had gone to the Bernabeu Stadium and defeated Real Madrid lifted Boro out of the drop zone.

It was also their first success in the league since November 9, and ended a depressing run of 15 games without a win.

But the fact it was little more than they deserved was just reward for Southgate and his players in their third game in a week at the Riverside Stadium.

The manager said: "We said last week, we might have to get a couple of results we are not expected to, and that's what we did on Saturday.

"The players have put some consistent performances together. Their belief is coming back, their confidence is coming back.

"We have said if our good players play well and we can get a regular team on the field - having a settled back five has helped - they are key things in this division."

Southgate's introduction to management has been nothing if not eventful.

He walked out of the dressing room and straight into the hot-seat vacated by Steve McClaren during the summer of 2006, embarking upon a learning curve which could hardly have been steeper.

For the last two seasons, they have secured their top-flight status only on the penultimate weekend of the campaign, but rarely have they been in such peril as they are now.

However, having slipped to just one place from the foot of the table since they won at Aston Villa at the beginning of November, they have gone back to basics and put together a modest run of four games without defeat which has taken them closer to safety and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Southgate said: "A few weeks ago, we played Blackburn here, we drew 0-0 and we were heavily criticised because of it.

"But the one thing we did say was we needed to start being difficult to beat, and in our last six games against Premier League teams in the league and cup, we have kept four clean sheets.

"That gives us a platform to build from and when you do that, you can always pinch a goal at the other end."

Key to the success of that policy has been the return to form of Turkey international Tuncay Sanli, who was dropped as the effects of his efforts for his country at Euro 2008 belatedly took their toll.

The former Fenerbahce frontman struck after 63 minutes to add to Xabi Alonso's 31st-minute own goal to claim his second goal in as many matches and seal a precious win after the visitors had squandered a series of chances.

Southgate said: "I felt he needed to come out of the team when he did. His response has been fantastic in the last couple of games, the pressure he has put on teams from the front.

"Lo and behold, when you work as hard as he has, you get your fortune and you get your goals, and that's a lesson for everybody."

For Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, defeat at the Riverside Stadium effectively dealt a fatal blow to his side's title hopes as they prepare for Tuesday's visit of Sunderland to Anfield.

He said: "When you cannot change things, you have to think about the next game and try to improve.

"Today, there was a massive difference. In the first 30 minutes, we were in control of everything.

"But you need to score."